Mike Tomlin Mum on Boswell, Jackson Returns, Could Practice

Mike Tomlin hinted that kicker Chris Boswell and cornerback William Jackson III could return to practice this week after both have missed the last four games after being placed on injured reserve.

Boswell was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Since his injury, Matthew Wright has done well with the team, only missing two field goals in his first outing with the team against the New Orleans Saints. Up to this point, Boswell had an examination of the injury to determine if more significant action had to be taken, but it appears that Boswell lucked out in that aspect.

The Steelers traded for Jackson from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline. However, a nagging back injury has kept Jackson from making his Steelers debut. With Ahkello Witherspoon now on injured reserve, it seems likely that Jackson’s return would be met with optimism and that he could get some playing time.

A true return to play has not been discussed by Tomlin and his staff, however. They want to see what the quality of the practice is from both players before committing to any returns or involvement in units. As such, it sounds like both players may open their 21-day windows, but an activation off injured reserve right now is questionable.

“We got some guys that might be eligible come off IR in Boswell and Will Jackson, but we’ll see where those roads lead,” Tomlin said. “Not ready to discuss those guys or the potential inclusion of those guys, or what the division of labor may look like. Let’s see what the work looks like before going too far.”

Mike Tomlin is not one to beat around the bush, and so it seems clear that Boswell and Jackson will practice, but that their return to the lineup is not imminent.